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20Sep

Philae Temple

Philae temple is located in one of the most important monumental sites in Aswan “The Nubian City“. It was a rocky island that was called in Hieroglyphic “Apo” which means Ivory. It is located 12 km south of Aswan on Aglika Island, downstream of Aswan High Dam and Lake Nasser. It was originally located near the expansive first Cataract of the Nile in Upper Egypt but it was relocated to nearby Agilkia Island as part of the UNESCO Nubia Campaign project. It was a sacred site as an ancient pilgrimage center for the cult of Isis. This amazing temple was reopened in 1980. Through our article, you will learn:

The History of Philae Island

Philae Temple Aswan Facts | Philae Temple History | The Temple of Isis

Although Philae was a small island, it is one of the most picturesque in all of Egypt. It wasn’t more than 380 meters long and 120 meters board. It was one of the burying-places of Osiris. In the 19th century, William John Bankes took the Philae obelisk to England. It threw great light upon the Egyptian consonantal alphabet when it was compared to the Rosetta stone.

The Philae islands weren’t just sacerdotal abodes but they were also the centers of commerce between Meroe and Memphis. Philae was always a remarkable place because of the effects of light and shade, which results from its position near the Tropic of Cancer. There was a problem related to the low dam in Aswan, and the rising water in Aswan required the government to relocate Philae temple into another island, which was the mission of UNESCO that moved the temple to Agilkia Island.

Interesting Facts About Philae Temple

Philae Temple Aswan Facts | Philae Temple History | The Temple of Isis

The construction of Philae Temple was completed in around 690 A.D so it is considered to be the last of the ancient temples constructed in the classical Egyptian style. It was built to honor the goddess Isis and serves as an amazing example of the cult that was built around the story of  Isis and Osiris.

The temple of Philae was considered to be the most sacred temple among the whole ones by both Egyptians and Nubians peoples, so this is because God Osiris was buried on the island where the temple stood. Priests were the only ones, who were permitted to dwell there, even fish and other aquatic animals never approached the shores of the island.

An Outer Look at Philae Temple

Philae Temple Aswan Facts | Philae Temple History | The Temple of Isis

Through the first Pylon, you can get into Philae temple. There is a building called the Birth House on the western side of the forecourt that was dedicated to Hathor and Isis in honor of the birth of her son, “Horus“. It is surrounded by colonnades. The second Pylon is an outstanding doorway that is 32 meters wide and 12 meters high. In front of it, there are foundations of a small chapel. There are also some faded Christian paintings.

A Closer Look Inside Philae Temple

Philae Temple Aswan Facts | Philae Temple History | The Temple of Isis

In the first room of the temple, you’ll find eight columns that were separated from the court by screens. Many Coptic crosses and Greek inscriptions are found inside this room, which reveals the transformation of the temple into a Christian place during the Byzantine age under the reign of Bishop Theodore. Above the door, there is an inscription that commemorates the archeological expedition that was sent in 1841 to Philae.

In the south wall over the door, the top relief shows Horus seated on a bench with Nephthys and Isis presenting the crowns of Lower and Upper Egypt. There are unfinished obelisks to the left of the door showing the king making grants of land. On the right, there is an amazing relief that depicts the source of the River Nile.

The Sanctuary House of Isis

Philae Temple Aswan Facts | Philae Temple History | The Temple of Isis

After some antechambers, you can reach the Sanctuary House. You can find a small room with reliefs of the king in the presence of Isis to the left of the first antechamber but on the west side of the room, there is a door that leads out of the temple to reach Gateway of Hadrian.

Explore All the Interesting Things of Egypt with “Trips in Egypt”

Enjoy the breathtaking atmosphere of Egypt and prepare yourself for an amazing experience in the land of history and civilization. All of our Egypt tour packages provide you the best Egypt tours that you will never forget, where you will visit the Great pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, Abu Simbel temple, the temple of Philae, the famous Karnak temple and many enchanting sites. Discover the secrets of Upper Egypt between Luxor & Aswan while enjoying one of our luxurious Nile cruises. Learn dive as it should be in the divine pure water of Hurghada and discover the great water world and the colorful coral reefs. Check our Egypt tours below and contact our tour operators to get the best tour itinerary with affordable prices:

Trips in Egypt Team
About the author

Trips In Egypt Team

Trips In Egypt team is composed of diverse individuals from all over the world who are the guardians of the ancient knowledge, magnificent attractions, and secrets of Egypt. They are travel enthusiasts, Egyptologists, Archaeologists, and history passionates who know every corner about the historical, geographical, geopolitical, and cultural nature of Egypt that trace back to more than 5000 years.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

  • What Should I Wear While Being in Egypt?

    You should wear whatever you want. It is advised to wear something light from cotton or linen, comfortable and put on sunblock during your time in Egypt in the summer and wear comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the sandy terrain.

  • What to Pack for Your Egypt Tour?

    You should bring a brimmed hat and sunglasses if you not used to the Egyptian sun &pack everything you could ever need and put in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.

  • Are All Nile Cruises Available at Any Time?

    Yes, it is available all years. as the Nile from Aswan to Luxor takes three to four days of sailing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the total cost of 600$ and the Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan take four to five days in Saturday, Monday and Thursday for the coast of 650$.

  • Why book Trips in Egypt?

    We have experience in vacation planning for more than 10 years & our staff consists of the most professional operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort create the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time advisors to fit your every possible need during your time in egypt. we always keep in mind that your safety & comfort are our main priority until you return home.

  • Is it safe to travel to Egypt?

    Yes, it is absolutely safe to travel to egypt, You will feel secure in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is very peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt and construct an entire environment dedicated for ensuring the lives of all tourists.

  • What are Egypt's Visa Requirements?

    They are very simples, If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries(check the link), have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD entry fee in cash. As for the E-Visa for 30 days, you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could be one of the countries eligible for a free visa for 90 days.

  • What is the Weather is Like?

    The temperature of Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c, Summer in Egypt is somehow hot and winter is cool and mild but sometimes it becomes cold at night. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 °C in the wintertime to 23 °C in the summertime and average high temperatures vary from 17 °C in the wintertime to 32 °C in the summertime while the temperature is moderate all along the coasts.

  • Should I Give Tips in Egypt?

    It is totally up to you, but if you choose to you can tip the servers at your restaurant 5-10% by handing it to them directly and 5 Egyptian Pounds as a general tip of anyone.

  • What is the Best Time of Visit Egypt?

    It is known the best time to travel to Egypt is in the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a bit tropical, a warm atmosphere with a winter breeze. You will also be notified a week before your trip if the weather is unsafe or if any changes have been made.

  • Can I Enter the Pyramids?

    Yes, you can enter the pyramids for the small fee of 20$.

  • How to Enjoy Egypt During Ramadan?

    Ramadan is a special time of year for Muslims that should be celebrated by non-Muslims and feel the essence of the Islamic culture. You can fast with the Muslim or just observe but you are always welcome to join the celebrations and festivals.

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About Trips In EGypt


Trips In Egypt was founded in 2002 when it launched, since then the company specialized in providing trips in Egypt only which includes tour packages, vacations, Nile cruises, day trips, shore excursions, and any kind of trips in Egypt.

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